LET'S GET TO KNOW THE SCHOOL, MINERVA!

Minerva had decided to take a walk. She had left the regal, brick dorm house she was unpacking in and set out on the school grounds. Catherine had informed her on the dress code; the students were allowed to wear whatever they wanted under the waist as long as they wore the orange Molecule Academy polo shirt that had come with the uniform. Minerva had donned a pair of black leggings and slipped on some sneakers before heading outside with Catherine, who had opted for baggy swim shorts, for some strange reason.

"It's still the summer, Minnie!" Catherine had protested when she was questioned. "Can't I show off some skin?"

The sun was still out, and cast a warm glow over the school grounds. The bright blue sky seemed to pair nicely with the paved walkways and miniature parks of the "dorm circle", as Catherine had referred to it. The eight dorms were arranged in an octagonal shape, Catherine explained. The ring of dorms had the main school building in the center, with arched walkways from each dorm to the main lobby. Catherine clearly made a point of the rule that students could not attend classes or, in some cases, enter the school building in their dorm wear.

"You'll love dorm life, Minnie. You'll get to meet new people, and experience new molecule performances. In fact, I'll introduce you to some of my friends later during dinner..."

The conversation was quickly cut off by the sounds of clashing stone and metal coming from one of the dorm courtyards. Minerva watched, confused, as a myriad of students rushed towards the sounds, smartphones in their hands.

She looked to Catherine for an explanation, who rolled her eyes and gave a frustrated sigh. "It's most likely a fight," she reasoned. "See what I mean about not following the rules?"

"But isn't an altercation like that very lethal? I mean, someone with an affinity for gases could very well suffocate you with ease." She briefly remembered Virgil, the council member she had met earlier.

"No, not really. Most students who bother to fight have mastered molecule control, or at least to a certain element. Most fights end up with a few scrapes and bruises, maybe a nosebleed. Hardly anything lethal or life-threatening. Besides, injuring someone like that would get you severe penalties."

"But the gases thing..."

"It takes years to do that on purpose. I know you're probably thinking about Virgil's manifestation."

"Yeah, I am..."

"Don't worry about that." She broke into a run. "We should probably get there before they break any more property!" She called over her shoulder.

Minerva started to jog. "What are you going to do!?" She yelled.

By the time Minerva got to the scene, Catherine was already there. A young boy with ginger-colored hair had his hand up to his nose, trying to stop the bleeding. In his other hand, he held a flask of some mysterious metal-colored liquid. On the other side of Catherine, an older teenager got to his feet. He seemed not to have any objects, but the air around him rippled to and fro, like a sheet being blown in the wind.

Catherine spoke. "Klaus, I'm disappointed."

The older boy bared his teeth and made his hands into fists. "You didn't hear what the little brat was saying, Cathy."

The younger boy grinned and smoothed back his hair. "Your master is disappointed, Klaus. You better give her your best puppy eyes."

Klaus growled and raised his hand. A swirling, solid ball of air formed out of nothing in front of his fingers. "Say that again boy, and I'll blast you across the lawn."

"Stop it, Klaus. Our house is in enough trouble already with Jason's pranks." She turned to the boy.

"You. Mercury boy. You are grounded at your house for the day. Transition metals house has just lost ten house points, thanks to you."

Mercury boy smirked and strolled away.

Catherine sighed and walked back to Minerva, casually waving off the onlookers. "I knew that kid would be trouble. His name's Daimen. The kid thinks he's so hot, just cause he was praised by the admissions office on his molecule control." She fished something out of her pocket and fidgeted with it. "I was hoping he wouldn't protest. I would have to use force."

Minerva glanced at the objects in her hands. They were solid, completely transparent spherical balls. "What are those?" She asked.

"Glass balls. I can control them completely. All I have to do is send one sailing into his forehead and it's good night Daimen. Usually the school guards take care of out-of-control users, but the council members are allowed to use non-lethal force to defuse situations."

Catherine smirked. Minerva laughed in spite of herself. Her mischievous smile was contagious. "So how many situations have you 'defused'?" She asked, the word "defused" in air quotes.

Another smile."Oh, I've lost count. I'm sort of a legend around for being the most hands on member of the council."

Minerva smiled and turned on her phone. "Are all your friends as "hands on" as you?"

"A few of them."

Minerva tapped on the camera app and held it up. Catherine understood and leaned in. "First day photo? Too cute!"

Minerva tapped on the capture button and the phone made a clicking sound. Catherine straightened up and brushed her snow-white hair aside. "Now that we're such good friends, let's go and find some more!"

"What do you mean?"

"Can't you hear the bell? That means it's dinner time. We've got to get to the canteen before the line gets too long. I'm too hungry to wait."

Minerva listened. In the chaos of the situation, she had missed the recurring ding-dong of the bell. Now she could hear it, a clear, sacred, ringing sound. "Alright then. Let's go eat."